Certified Surgical Technologist Intraoperative Procedures Questions and Answers

Question 1

A surgical technologist is preparing a specimen of a breast biopsy for permanent section. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate action for preserving the specimen?

Accepted Answer

Place it in a container with formalin.

Answer

Place it in a dry, sterile container.

Answer

Immerse it in normal saline.

Answer

Send it immediately to pathology without any solution.

Question 2

During a laparotomy, the surgeon requests irrigation. The surgical technologist has 1,000 mL of sterile normal saline on the back table. After pouring some into a basin, 300 mL remains in the original bottle. The surgeon uses an unmeasured amount from the basin. Later, the circulator adds another 500 mL to the back table supply. At the end of the case, 600 mL is left on the back table. How much irrigation was used?

Accepted Answer

900 mL

Answer

400 mL

Answer

700 mL

Answer

1,100 mL

Question 3

A patient begins to exhibit muscle rigidity, tachycardia, and a rapid rise in end-tidal CO2 shortly after the administration of succinylcholine and sevoflurane. Which of the following is the primary pharmacological agent required to treat this condition?

Accepted Answer

Dantrolene

Answer

Sodium bicarbonate

Answer

Atropine

Answer

Epinephrine

Question 4

Which of the following describes the correct procedure for the surgical technologist when passing a medication to the surgeon?

Accepted Answer

Announce the medication's name and strength as it is being passed.

Answer

State the medication's name and strength after passing the syringe.

Answer

Assume the surgeon knows the medication requested and pass it silently.

Answer

Only label the syringe and hand it to the surgeon.

Question 5

When performing the closing count for sponges and sharps, the surgical technologist and the circulator discover a discrepancy. A laparotomy sponge is missing. What is the immediate, primary action that should be taken?

Accepted Answer

Immediately notify the surgeon.

Answer

Document the discrepancy in the patient's chart.

Answer

Begin closing the surgical wound.

Answer

Order an intraoperative X-ray.

Question 6

To maintain sterile technique when opening a wrapped sterile package, which flap should the surgical technologist open LAST?

Accepted Answer

The flap closest to the body.

Answer

The flap furthest away.

Answer

The right-side flap.

Answer

The left-side flap.

A surgical technologist is preparing a specimen of a breast biopsy for permanent section.Which of the following is the MOST appropriate action for preserving the specimen?

A surgical technologist is preparing a specimen of a breast biopsy for permanent section.
Which of the following is the MOST appropriate action for preserving the specimen?